"Dirtball,' Phillies bullpen beat Padres

Chase Utley hits a solo homer and an RBI double, then drives in the game-winner in the eighth. The relievers shut down San Diego.

May 22, 2004|By Don Bostrom Of The Morning Call

When your nickname is "Dirtball," you'd better be good.

Chase Utley continued to show why that label is a term of endearment in the Phillies' clubhouse, as the sweet-swinging second baseman had another monster game to lead the Phillies to a 5-4 comeback win over the San Diego Padres.

Utley capped another productive outing that included a solo homer and RBI double with a two-out, game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Utley has driven in 11 runs in the last five games, 13 in 10 games since being recalled to replace the injured Placido Polanco for a resounding RBI ratio of one every 2.9 at-bats.

Those are pretty convincing reasons why he should not be returned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre or any other stop along the Northeast Extension.

That clutch hit was extra sweet because Utley was ready to dig himself a hole after being thrown out trying to advance to third base on a short passed ball moments before David Bell hit what would have been a game-tying seventh inning home run.

Manager Larry Bowa even applauded that aggressive move, which would have put Utley on third with one out.

"Our minor leaguers are instructed to go, if they think they can make it, when the ball hits the dirt," Bowa said. "I didn't say a word to him."

"I'd do it again if I had to," said Utley.

One of the hallmarks of Utley's game is that he's relentless. He keeps coming, no matter what.

"That's how he plays, that's why they call him Dirtball," Bowa said.

Dirtball was the perfect man to have up with the game on the line after the surging Phillies, who have won four straight and 11 of 14, found some two-out lightning in the eighth against loser Akinori Otsuka.

Jimmy Rollins drew a two-out walk, stole his 10th base and scampered home when Bobby Abreu lined a triple to deep center. Pat Burrell walked to give Utley, who was batting fifth, a chance to be the hero.

He cashed it in with a liner into the hole that shortstop Khalil Greene couldn't handle.

"Any time someone is on base, for some reason, you bear down a little more," said Utley. "You're trying to get that guy in. I've just been trying to be comfortable up there. I'm glad I can contribute and help us win. The atmosphere in here has been something lately."

The Padres threatened in the ninth thanks to Terrence Long's one-out double, but closer Tim Worrell settled down to record his fourth save.

The Padres (23-19) built a 4-1 lead against Kevin Millwood, who had a season-high seven strikeouts in six innings, thanks to a two-run homer by Brian Giles, an RBI ground out by Giles and a Phil Nevin RBI double.

Adam Eaton, the former Phillies No. 1 draft pick who was sent to the Padres in the ill-fated Andy Ashby deal, looked sharp through 61/3 innings, allowing only four hits and two runs.

Lost in the avalanche of Utley's big night was another brilliant job turned in by the Phillies' bullpen.

Amaury Telemaco, winner Ryan Madson (3-1, 0.35 ERA) and Worrell combined to blank San Diego over the final three innings.

"That's our job," the unflappable Madson said. "Keep it close so we can have a chance, because you never know."

Madson continues to take everything in stride.

"That's been embedded in my head," Madson said. "Look like you are in control even when you are not. And never give up."

Utley and Bowa didn't want to speculate on whether or not he will be kept with the team once Polanco returns.

"Time will tell," Utley said.

"A guy gets out of bed and can't walk, trips over steps and breaks his ankle," said Bowa, making the point that circumstances can change radically before a decision needs to be made. "Don't forget what Polanco did last year. When you go on the disabled list you don't lose your job.

"Polanco did a great job last year, he was right up there with [Jim] Thome as one of our most valuable players. Chase is going to be a very good baseball player. He is right now. But don't lose sight of what Placido did."

Polanco might not lose his job, but Dirtball certainly might win one.

Extra innings: Reliever Geoff Geary was sent to Scranton after the game to open a roster sport for Josh Hancock, who will start tonight in place of injured Randy Wolf. The Phillies have homered in 10 consecutive games and 17 of the last 18 contests. The club record of 16 straight games with a homer was set in 2002. Abreu has had a hit and scored a run in the last 10 games. Burrell had his seven-game hitting streak snapped. The Phillies are 6-1 on Fridays.